AI Damage2001 Pontiac Aztek: common problems
Owners of the 2001 Pontiac Aztek filed 216 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 216
- involving a crash
- 14
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 19% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 17% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 13% of all complaints
- 6 Equipment 13% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 40 complaints (19% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 36 complaints (17% of all).
- Service brakes: 30 complaints (14% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 28 complaints (13% of all).
- Air bags: 27 complaints (13% of all), 9 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.4 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 3 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 216 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 40 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 36 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 30 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 28 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 27 | 9 | 0 |
| Equipment | 27 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 22 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 7 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The keys in, I pulled keys out n the car rolled backwards I hop in the car n turn the wheel and I flew out and the car ran me over tire on my back the car didn't stop I pushing the brakes nothing!
She was able to release the lock and was on her way back to the driver's side when the vehicle knocked her down. According to witnesses, the vehicle made an l and struck another vehicle. The vehicle was towed and has not yet been diagnosed. Updated 08/27/08. Updated 08/27/08.
This pontiac aztek has electrical problems that cause the entire vehicle to shut down while driving. When it occurs, everything stops working including the steering, therefore making it impossible to steer off the road safely.
While pulling into driveway accelerater pedal became stuck in full throttle, causing driver to hit a wall. Upon impact, air bags didn't deploy.
The driver/passenger seat belts were inoperative and the air bags did not deploy.
Upon impact, my airbags did "not" deploy and my seatbelt did not hold me from hittig the steering wheel with my chest. I had reported to the dealer that I didn't think the seatbelts in the front were working correctly not more than two weeks after purchase.
Bout 3 weeks ago car just keep acting up had it for one year cant read codes on car keep overheating replaced radiator cvl axle brakes oil change transmission fluid car just decided to not pass 50mph be driveable one day driving it went to a stop sign brake car cut off I see check gauges come on service light on cant…
Gm has issued a safety bulletin in regards to a broken fuel tank that could cause explosions, or fire. I have tried to get them to perform the repair but they are refusing. The problem is for all years of the pontiac aztek and buick rendezvous.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,878 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 5% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Aztek has 113 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 216, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Pontiac Aztek?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, fuel system, service brakes. Total complaints: 216. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (16%), fuel system, fuel smell (12%), warning lights, check engine (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2001 Pontiac Aztek?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2001 Pontiac Aztek from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2001 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.